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'Final Fantasy XI' Coming Late October

In Final Fantasy XI you embark on numerous adventures through vast environments in Vana'diel: a persistent world with over a hundred areas to explore, ranging from mountains, forests, to oceans, castles, and dungeons.

The "persistent world" in FINAL FANTASY XI continues to evolve, transform, and develop, even when gamers are not playing. The title offers players a chance to experience FINAL FANTASY in a completely new environment, while retaining the same award-winning visual content, innovative gameplay, and deep storylines that have made the FINAL FANTASY series one of the most popular videogame series in the world, with more than 45 million units sold to date. FINAL FANTASY XI was released in Japan in May 2002 (PlayStation 2) and November 2002 (Windows), and has over 250,000 registered users, who have created more than 600,000 characters.

"We are thrilled to introduce FINAL FANTASY XI to North America and hope the game will expand online gaming to a broader audience," said Jun Iwasaki, president and CEO of Square Enix U.S.A., Inc. "FINAL FANTASY XI will lure players into an action and emotion-packed online gaming adventure in a personalized universe where they create their own destiny."

FINAL FANTASY XI

In FINAL FANTASY XI, players will undertake multiple adventures through vast environments in the world of "Vana'diel," which has more than 100 areas to explore, including mountains, forests, ice plains, deserts, oceans, rivers, castles, and dungeons. Players travel through these areas using various modes of transportation including chocobos, boats, and airships. Players will also experience time and climate changes, including desert sandstorms, thunderstorms, fog, and snow. Vana'diel's persistent world is composed of three unique nations: the Republic of Bastok, known for industry and might; the Kingdom of San d'Oria, called a "City Within A Fortress"; and the Federation of Windurst, founded on the "Fruits of Knowledge." While these nations enjoy a friendly relationship on the surface, territorial expansion is a constant and natural desire for all leaders. Players must choose one of these nations as their home, then carry out quests and missions to not only benefit their nation, but also to uncover the history and story of Vana'diel.

FINAL FANTASY XI allows players to create their alter ego that will exist in the world of Vana'diel, choosing from a variety of races, facial features, hairstyles, and colors. They will be able to play at their own pace and form parties by utilizing the various communication tools that have been incorporated into FINAL FANTASY XI, including easy-to-use chat and messaging systems. Players will become immersed in an expansive, original story that not only includes fighting for their nation, but also enjoying skills such as alchemy, leatherworking, jewel crafting, fishing, and other non-battle-related activities. While players may start out on their own, as they advance, they will realize the advantages and fun factor in creating parties of adventurers. Communication and interaction with other characters and the environment is key as gamers create a new fate for the world of Vana'diel.

FINAL FANTASY XI for PC

FINAL FANTASY XI for Windows gives PC users the rich, console-style gaming experience that Square Enix is renowned for. Published by Square Enix U.S.A., FINAL FANTASY XI for Windows will include the "Rise of the Zilart(TM)" expansion pack, which was released separately in Japan in April 2003. FINAL FANTASY XI will carry a suggested retail price of $49.99 (USD). Aside from Internet service provider access charges, players will be charged a monthly fee to play FINAL FANTASY XI. Subscribers will receive their first 30 days of access without charge. After 30 days, FINAL FANTASY XI will be available on a month-to-month subscription basis for $12.95 (USD) a month, which includes one character for FINAL FANTASY XI. Players can create additional characters for an additional charge of $1.00 (USD) per character, per month. Tetra Master®, the wildly popular and addictive mini-game from FINAL FANTASY IX, will also be included in the package and will be available for $1.00 (USD) per month.

FINAL FANTASY XI for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system will be released in conjunction with the internal hard disk drive (40GB)(for PlayStation 2) by Sony Computer Entertainment America. Specific product details, including release date and price, will be announced by the company at a later date.

PlayOnline

FINAL FANTASY XI is a multiplayer online game in which players play via the Internet, and is playable via broadband or dial-up connection on both the PC and PlayStation 2. In order to play FINAL FANTASY XI, players are required to have an Internet connection and will be required to register via PlayOnline, a network service created by Square Enix. PlayOnline provides a wide range of services and entertainment including online games, online entertainment, and communication. PlayOnline not only serves as a portal to the world of FINAL FANTASY XI, but is also a gateway to several other applications including communication tools such as email, messaging, a "Friend List," games, support, downloadable files, and audiovisual customization. Players will create personalized PlayOnline identities or "handles" that allow other players to communicate with each other, no matter where they are on the PlayOnline network. These basic services on the PlayOnline network will be free of charge. For more information on PlayOnline, FINAL FANTASY XI, and Tetra Master, please visit the official US FINAL FANTASY XI Web site at http://www.playonline.com.